Full Notification

MORGAN HILL, CA – As part of Morgan Hill’s traffic program, the Morgan Hill Police Department will participate in the county wide Juvenile Traffic Diversion program. The City of Morgan Hill has identified juvenile education and safety as a top priority. This education and prevention program focuses on pedestrian and bicycle safety for children ages 13 to 16.

Officers that observe a non motor vehicle traffic violation, such as a child without a bicycle helmet or running suddenly into traffic, will issue a traffic citationand forward it to the Santa Clara County Traffic Safe Communities Network instead of traffic court. The child will receive an invitation to attend a two hour traffic safety class hosted by Morgan Hill Police at a cost of $10. For families with a financial hardship, the class enrollment fee may be waived and they will be offered a free bicycle helmet.

Successful completion of the traffic safety class will result in the citation being dismissed. Morgan Hill Police and the Traffic Safe Communities Network work cooperatively to track citations and forward those that either fail to attend a session or refuse to participate in the program to traffic court for traditional prosecution.
Bicycle Collisions

• Wearing a helmet can reduce your risk of significant injury by 85%
• In Santa Clara County in 2011, 3 bicyclists were killed and 820 were seriously injured.
• In California in 2011, 19 bicyclists under age 18 were killed and 3,356 were severely injured.

Who should wear a helmet? Anyone under the age of 18 who is riding a bicycle, skateboard, or roller skates in public.

If anyone has any further questions please contact the Morgan Hill Police Department at 408-779-2101.